Championing Dreams since '86

40 years of bringing sport, events and community to life across Western Australia.

A Legacy of Championing Dreams

For 40 years, VenuesWest venues have been where dreams begin and grow. Where they are tested, shaped, and ultimately achieved. From first lessons to elite performances, from career milestones to unforgettable moments, we've proudly been part of the journey for many Western Australians. 

Championing Dreams since '86 reflects what we believe: no dream is too big or too small. It's the athlete pushing for more, the artist stepping on stage, the fan creating lifelong memories, a child learning to swim or a member achieving a personal best - all supported by the people behind the scenes. Every day, our venues help bring these moments to life.

Over the next six months, we invite you to celebrate with us, as we share stories, milestones and moments that have shaped VenuesWest, and those still to come. Through our people and our places, we'll spotlight the dreams we've championed since 1986. 

Follow along and be part of the journey:

1986 - 1999
Established in 1986, the Sport Centre Trust helped set the foundations for world class sport and entertainment in Western Australia. The Perth Superdrome opened that same year as a purpose‑built elite venue, becoming home to the Perth Wildcats and marking the start of their record finals streak. Arena Joondalup followed in 1994, expanding indoor sport and event opportunities. Through the 1990s, the venue network grew into a high performance and multi‑purpose events hub. It hosted major international events such as the 1991 and 1998 FINA World Championships, expanded facilities to support elite competition, introduced naming rights at Challenge Stadium and welcomed the Western Australian Institute of Sport. A growing schedule of major concerts and events helped shape the modern venue portfolio Western Australia knows today.
Construction begins on the Perth Superdrome, ahead of the official opening in 1986.
Construction of the indoor pools at Perth Superdrome.
Merchandise from the 1991 FINA World Championships at Perth Superdrome - a snapshot of world class competition and local sporting history.
In 1987, the Perth Wildcats moved to the Perth Superdrome, increasing home‑game capacity more than sixfold and beginning their remarkable, unbeaten run of consecutive NBL Finals appearances.
The Perth Superdrome becomes Challenge Stadium under a WA Government naming rights deal with Challenge Bank in 1996. While the sponsorship ended in 2002, the Challenge Stadium name continued through to 2014.
FINA World Championships returns to Challenge Stadium in 1998.
2000 - 2013
Between 2000 and 2013, the VenuesWest portfolio grew with major new venues including WA Athletics Stadium, Bendat Basketball Centre and RAC Arena, and welcomed Champion Lakes Regatta Centre into the network. This era included standout moments such as Elton John opening RAC Arena with its first concert and the venue welcoming its one‑millionth customer, plus WA Athletics Stadium hosting its first, and only, concert by Stevie Nicks. Significant redevelopments were also delivered, including the expansion of nib Stadium. The period concluded with VenuesWest being appointed governance agency for the Perth Stadium (Optus Stadium) project, reinforcing its role as custodian of Western Australia’s major public venues.
The WA Athletics Stadium officially opened to the public in May 2009, replacing the former Perry Lakes Stadium.
Perth hosts the Australian Athletics Championships for the first time in 20 years at WA Athletics Stadium.
WA Athletics Stadium hosts its first—and to date only—concert, featuring Stevie Nicks, in 2011.
Sir Elton John performed the official opening concert at the newly built RAC Arena (then Perth Arena) on November 10, 2012.
Construction begins on the $95 million state government funded redevelopment of nib Stadium increasing seating capacity to 20,300.
The WA Government appointed VenuesWest as the governance agency for the Perth Stadium project in 2013.
2014 - 2019
From 2014 to 2019, VenuesWest reached several major milestones that reshaped Western Australia’s venue landscape. This period included taking over management of nib Stadium, opening the Gold Netball Centre and the re-located WAIS High Performance Centre, and introducing a new co‑management model at Bendat Basketball Centre. RAC Arena gained international recognition as a leading entertainment venue, hosting record‑breaking concerts and crowds. In 2017, the Brand Ambassador and Community Partners programs were launched, strengthening community connection across the portfolio. The opening of Optus Stadium marked a turning point for major events in WA, hosting Perth’s first NRL State of Origin, securing major naming rights, winning international design awards, and welcoming unprecedented crowds - cementing WA’s profile on the global stage.
The Gold Netball Centre in Jolimont, Western Australia officially opened in March 2015. Formerly known as the State Netball Centre, it was rebranded in August 2019 following a major naming rights partnership with the Gold Industry Group.
Ed Sheeran set a record for HBF Park’s largest concert, with 32,001 fans in attendance on 2 December 2015.
HBF Park hosted the Socceroos vs Iraq FIFA World Cup Qualifier in front of a record crowd of 32,639 fans on 1 September 2016.
The VenuesWest Brand Ambassador Program was launched in July 2017 to support elite athletes with training and competition expenses. The inaugural 2017–18 cohort included Stephen Bird (kayak), Nikita Hains (diving), Amber Merritt (wheelchair basketball) and Brianna Throssell (swimming).
The VenuesWest Community Partners Program launched, offering not‑for‑profit organisations tailored support through venue access, complimentary tickets and opportunities to help achieve their core objectives.
Optus Stadium set new attendance benchmarks in 2018, hosting WA’s largest-ever sporting crowd with 57,616 fans at a West Coast Eagles v Richmond AFL match, and a record-breaking AFLW crowd of 41,900 - the highest attendance for a standalone women’s sporting event in Australia at the time.
2020 - 2026
From 2020 to 2026, VenuesWest navigated unprecedented disruption while delivering defining milestones that elevated Western Australia’s national and global profile. During COVID‑19, Optus Stadium became a national hub, hosting an AFL season and its 100th event, before welcoming more than 60,000 fans to Perth’s first AFL Grand Final in 2021. The years that followed saw continued momentum, with Optus Stadium and RAC Arena achieving major award recognition, record‑breaking attendances and global‑scale events, alongside significant investment in infrastructure, including the Sam Kerr Football Centre, upgrades to HBF Park ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and expanded high performance and community facilities. Key milestones included VenuesWest surpassing a record 6.3 million annual patrons, Western Australia’s best‑ever Olympic performance in 2024, the NRL confirming the Perth Bears’ entry to the league in 2027, and Perth Lynx establishing Perth HPC as their home. RAC Arena also became VenuesWest's sixth self-managed venue.
Optus Stadium hosted 15 AFL games in six weeks as part of the COVID AFL hub, before Perth welcomed its first AFL Grand Final on 25 September 2021, drawing more than 60,000 fans.
West Coast Fever claimed their maiden Suncorp Super Netball championship at RAC Arena on 3 July 2022, in front of 12,400 fans.
The Bruce Prance Dryland Diving Centre officially opened at Perth HPC on 22 May 2023.
The $50.8 million Sam Kerr Football Centre officially opened on 27 October 2023.
The 2024 Paris Olympics marked Western Australia’s best‑ever Olympic performance.
In 2025, the NRL announced the Perth Bears would join the league in 2027, with HBF Park confirmed as their home ground.

A Reflection from our Former CEO

For 18 years, former CEO David Etherton led VenuesWest through a period of growth, transformation and opportunity. Reflecting on his time from 2008 to 2026, David shares the moments he's most proud of and the dreams realised along the way.

Be Part of the Celebration

There are many ways to be part of the VenuesWest story - whether you're attending an event, exploring our venues or building your career with us. Let us champion your dreams. 

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